Abstract
The adrenal secretion of androgens was examined in 9 women (ages 19-39 yr) with postadolescent idiopathic acne and compared to age and sex-matched normal controls. Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS), androstenedione (Δ4-A), cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-deoxycortisol, and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay in the basal state and during a 48 hr ACTH infusion. The mean plasma and time-integrated plasma levels of the 3 adrenal androgens in patients with acne were 15-25% higher than normal controls, but the groups were not significantly different (p>.05). The plasma testosterone values, on the other hand, were similar in both groups. In addition, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone basal plasma values and responses to ACTH in patients with acne were similar to the normal control values. These findings suggest that adrenal androgen secretion is at most mildly elevated in patients with idiopathic acne and is unlikely to be the sole cause of acne since many patients without acne have similar hormone levels. Increases sensitivity of the sebaceous gland to androgens or increased local metabolism of androgen hormones in the skin to potent androgen metabolites may offer alternative mechanisms for the pathogenesis of this disorder.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 468-471 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Journal of Investigative Dermatology |
| Volume | 78 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1982 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dermatology
Cite this
Adrenal function in women with idiopathic acne. / Chrousos, G. P.; Peck, G. L.; Gross, E. G.; Cutler, G. B.; Loriaux, Donald (Lynn).
In: Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Vol. 78, No. 6, 1982, p. 468-471.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Adrenal function in women with idiopathic acne
AU - Chrousos, G. P.
AU - Peck, G. L.
AU - Gross, E. G.
AU - Cutler, G. B.
AU - Loriaux, Donald (Lynn)
PY - 1982
Y1 - 1982
N2 - The adrenal secretion of androgens was examined in 9 women (ages 19-39 yr) with postadolescent idiopathic acne and compared to age and sex-matched normal controls. Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS), androstenedione (Δ4-A), cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-deoxycortisol, and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay in the basal state and during a 48 hr ACTH infusion. The mean plasma and time-integrated plasma levels of the 3 adrenal androgens in patients with acne were 15-25% higher than normal controls, but the groups were not significantly different (p>.05). The plasma testosterone values, on the other hand, were similar in both groups. In addition, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone basal plasma values and responses to ACTH in patients with acne were similar to the normal control values. These findings suggest that adrenal androgen secretion is at most mildly elevated in patients with idiopathic acne and is unlikely to be the sole cause of acne since many patients without acne have similar hormone levels. Increases sensitivity of the sebaceous gland to androgens or increased local metabolism of androgen hormones in the skin to potent androgen metabolites may offer alternative mechanisms for the pathogenesis of this disorder.
AB - The adrenal secretion of androgens was examined in 9 women (ages 19-39 yr) with postadolescent idiopathic acne and compared to age and sex-matched normal controls. Plasma dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS), androstenedione (Δ4-A), cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-deoxycortisol, and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay in the basal state and during a 48 hr ACTH infusion. The mean plasma and time-integrated plasma levels of the 3 adrenal androgens in patients with acne were 15-25% higher than normal controls, but the groups were not significantly different (p>.05). The plasma testosterone values, on the other hand, were similar in both groups. In addition, cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone basal plasma values and responses to ACTH in patients with acne were similar to the normal control values. These findings suggest that adrenal androgen secretion is at most mildly elevated in patients with idiopathic acne and is unlikely to be the sole cause of acne since many patients without acne have similar hormone levels. Increases sensitivity of the sebaceous gland to androgens or increased local metabolism of androgen hormones in the skin to potent androgen metabolites may offer alternative mechanisms for the pathogenesis of this disorder.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0019964132&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0019964132&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12510160
DO - 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12510160
M3 - Article
C2 - 6282978
AN - SCOPUS:0019964132
VL - 78
SP - 468
EP - 471
JO - Journal of Investigative Dermatology
JF - Journal of Investigative Dermatology
SN - 0022-202X
IS - 6
ER -